Reclining article of furniture



0a. 28, 1952 J, LUCKH 2,615,497

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed May 26, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR. JOHANNES LUC KHARDT ATTORNEY Oct. 28, 1952 J. LUCKHARDT2,615,497

I RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE FiledMay26, 1949 4Sheets-Sheet2 IN V ENTOR.

JOHANNES LUCKHARDT I ATTORNEY Oct. 28, 1952 J. LUCKHARDT 2,615,497

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNIIURE Filed May 26, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR.

JOHANNES LUCKHARDT ATTORNEY Oct. 28, 1952 J. LUCKHARDT 2,615,497

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed May 26, 1949 4 She ets-Sheet 4INVENTOR.

JOHANNES LUCKHARDT ATTORNEY Patented Get. 28, 1 952 UNITE RECLININGARTECLE OF FURNITURE Johannes LuckhardtBerlin, Germany, assignor toAnton Lorenz, Bufialo, N. Y.

Application May 26, 1949, Serial 95,413

17 Claims. (Cl. 155-106) This invention relates to articles of furnitureand more particularly to a reclining article of furniture, wherein aseat and a basic-rest constitute movable members of a link-system andwherein the movements of a leg-rest swingably mounted on the seat may becontrolled by a controlling mechanism responsive to movements of theback-rest.

An object of the present invention is to provide a reclining article offurniture wherein the seat and back-rest may be brought from a sittingposition through a somewhat reclined or tilted position into an extremereclined position and wherein, during the movement of the seat andback-rest into said tilted position, the leg-rest may be propelled fromits sitting position into a position at a great angle relative to theseat in which relative position the leg-rest substantially remainsduring a movement of the seat and backrest from the tilted position intothe extreme reclined position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reclining chair withcontrolled relative movements of its seat, back-rest and leg-rest, whichmay be readily converted into a bed-like furniture.

Another object of the present invention is to improve on the art ofreclining articles of furniture as now ordinarily made.

With the above and other objects of the invention in View, the inventionconsists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination ofvarious devices, elements and parts, as described hereinafter and setforth in the claims hereof,

certain embodiments of the same being described in the specification andbeing illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of thisspecification, wherein:

Fig. 1.is a side elevational view of a reclining chair according to theinvention, a portion of a side wall of the support being broken away,

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical illustration of the linkages of the chairshown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a simplified diagrammatical illustration of the type oflinkages of the chair accord- Fig. '7 is a fragmentary perspectiveviewfof the support and mechanisms of the chair shown in Fig. 1, someparts being broken away or being omitted, I

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a detail of the mechanism of the chairshown in Fig. 1,

Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective views of thesame detail as shown in Fig.3, wherein, however, the elements of said detail are in differentpositions,

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line Il-ll of Fig. 7, illustratingthe locking mechanism of the chair,

Fig. 12 is a sectional view similar to that shown in Fig. 11, wherein,however, the elementsof the locking mechanism are in releasing position,I

,Fig1'l3 is an elevational view of a portion of the locking mechanismshown in Fig. 12,

14 is 'a side elevational view of another embodiment of a recliningchair according to the invention, a portion of a side wall of" thesupport beingjbrolren away,

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of the chair 7 shown in Fig. 14,wherein the movable members of the chair are in a reclined positiornand-Fig. 16 is a fragmentary elevational view of a detail ofthe chair shownin Fig. 14.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 4-7, 36 generally indicates a support madeof a suitable frameworl; covered by a suitable covering material. 32

generally indicates a seat carried by a suitable seat frame, 3%generally indicates a back-rest carried by a suitable backrest-frame and36, generally indicates a leg-rest carried by a suitable legrest-frame.

On each side of the chair the back-rest 3A is provided with a lug 38rigidly connected with said back-rest. The rear end portion of the seat32 is pivoted to said lugs 38 of the back-rest '34 at 49. I

The downwardly extending portions (12' ofthe frame of the back-rest 34are connected with each other by a cross-rod M slidably and rotatablyengaged with a slot 46 of a lower connecting link t8, the portion end ofwhich is in the shape of a U (see Figs. 1 and '7). As best shown inFigs. 1, 7 and 8, the'cross-rod 44 of the backrest-frame 34 is normallyheld in rotatable engagement with the left-hand end of the slot 36 ofthe lower connesting link 48 by means of a cap-like member 59 swingablymounted on the lower connecting link 48 at 52. Said member 59 drops 'byits own weight into the locking position shown in Fig. -8

for holding the back-rest 34 in pivotal connection I with the lowerconnecting-link 48.

On each side of the chair the lower endof afront connecting link 54 ispivoted to an arm of 3 the lower connecting link 43 at 55. The upper endof each of said front connecting links 54 is pivoted to the seat 32 at58.

On each side of the chair a bell-crank lever generally indicated by 60is swingably mounted on the support at 62. The upper arm 64 of saidbell-crank lever 60 pivoted to the back-rest 34 at (it acts as a firstguiding link.

Moreover, on each side of the chair the lower end of a second guidinglink 68 is pivoted to the lower connecting link 48 at It. The upper endof each second guidin link 68 is swingably mounted on the support 30 at72.

When the movable members of the chair are in the sitting position shownin Fig. 1, said guiding link 68 is in loose engaging abutment with astop 74 mounted on the support 30.

On each side of the chair the frame of the legrest 35 is swingablymounted on a forward extension 16 of the seat-frame 32 at T8. On eachside of the chair, the front end portion of a 00.11- trolling link 80 ispivoted to the leg-rest 36 at 82. The rear end portion of eachcontrollin link 80 is pivoted at 84 to the lower arm 86 of the bellcranklever 60 acting as a controlling arm.

Fora purpose to be described hereinafter, a stop 88 is arranged on thesupport 30 on each side of the chair. said stop 88 is arranged forcooperation with the downward extension 42 of the back-rest 34 and forcooperation with the controlling arm 86 of the bell-crank lever 60.

Fig. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the linkages of the chair shown inFig. 1, the links shown in Fig. 2 being of the same lengths andproportions as in said Fig. 1. For a better understanding of thelink-systems of the chair according to th invention, Fig. 3 illustratesthe same type of linkages as Fig. 2, the links and proportions of thelinks, however, being chosen differently. In Fig. 3 the various linkscorresponding to links shown in Fig. 2 have been indicated by the samereference numerals as in Fig. 2 with the only difference that the lettera has been added.

As may be gathered from Figs. 2 and 3, the chair comprises a series ofconnected links including the seat 32, the back-rest 34, the lowerconnecting link 48 and the front connecting link 54, said links being inpivotal connection. A first guidin link 64 swingably mounted on astationary point of the support at 62 is pivoted at 66 to the back-rest34 constituting a link of said series of connected links. A secondguiding link 68 swingable on the stationary point 72 of the support ispivoted to the lower connecting link 48 at 10.

According to Fig. l, on each side of the chair,

the front end of an arm-rest 90 is pivoted to the extension 16 of theseat 32 at 7B. Said arm-rest 90 has a bore 92 in slidabl engagement witha rod 94 pivoted to the back-rest 34 at 96. Said arm-rest does not forma part of above-described link-systems including the back-rest 34, theseat 32 and the leg-rest 36. When an occupant rests in the chair, theweight of the seat 32 and the weight of the person resting on the seatact through the front connecting link 54 and lower connecting link 48 onthe pivot Hi between the lower connecting link 48 and guiding link 68 inthe direction of the arrow A (Fig. 1) whereby the guiding link 68 isurged against the stop 14.

; Now when the occupant of the chair exerts pressure on the back-rest34, the force transmitted at this time through. the lower extension 42of-the back-rest34 and the lower connecting link 48 on the pivot I0,which force acts in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrowA, will be smaller than the force acting in the direction of the arrow Aon said pivot '10, so that the guiding link 68 wil1 be held inengagement with the stop 14 and, consequently, the pivot 10 remains inits position acting as a stationary pivot around which the lowerconnecting link 48 of the series of connected links 32, 34, 4B, 54 mayswing. During this time the series of connected links 32, 34, 48, 54 isguided by the guiding link 64 swinging around the stationary pivot 62.Consequently, the seat 32 and back-rest 34 constituting links of saidseries of connecting links will reach the partly reclined or tiltedposition shown in Fig. 4 wherein the angle between the seat 32 andback-rest 34 is not changed at all o is only slightly changed ifcompared with the angle between said seat and back-rest in the sittingposition of Fig. 1. Said tilted position of the seat 32 and back-rest 34is limited by an abutment of the controlling arm 66 against the stop 88.It may be noted that in this position the guiding link 68 is still inengagement with the stop 74.

Owing to the rigid connection between the controlling arm 83 and theguiding link 64, both members forming a part of the bell-crank lever 60,the leg-rest 36 connected to the controlling arm 86 through the mediumof the controlling link is propelled into the position shown in Fig. 4during above-described movement of the seat 32 and back-rest 34 from thesitting position shown in Fig. 1 into the tilted position shown in Fig.i. It may be noted that the angle between the leg-rest 3t and seat 32has been considerably increased during said movement from the sittingposition into the tilted position, so that the leg-rest 36 is almost ina horizontal position, although the back-rest 34 has been reclined onlyto a small degree. Said tilted position of the seat 32, back-rest 34 andleg-rest 36 is very convenient for watching television programs, forexample.

As soon as the controlling arm 86 abuts against the stop 86, asdescribed above, the pivot 66 on the guiding link 64 rigidly connectedwith said controlling arm 86 becomes stationary din'ing a furthermovement of the back-rest 34 in counterclockwise direction (as viewed inFig. 4). .Consequently, the pressure exerted by the occupant of thechair on the back-rest 34 overcomes the force acting on the pivot it inthe direction of the arrow A (see Fig. 1), so that, now, the guidinglink 68 is disengaged from the stop 74. During a movement of theback-rest 34 from the tilted position shown in Fig. 4 into an extremereclined position shown in Fig. 5, the back-rest 34 constituting a linkof the series of connected links 32, 34, 48, 54 swings about the nowstationary pivot 65 and the guiding link 68 pivoted to the lowerconnecting link 48 swings about the pivot 12. The seat 32 is now morereclined than in the tilted position shown in Fig. l and the anglebetween the seat 32 and the back-rest 3A in the reclined position islarger than the angle between said two members in the tilted position.

During the movement of the seat 32 and backrest 34 from the tiltedposition shown in Fig. 4 into the reclined position shown in Fig. 5, thecontrolling arm 86 remains in abutting engagement with the stop 88.Consequently, the legrest 36 is held in an elevated position through themedium of the controlling link 88. The angle between leg-rest 36 andseat 32, although being somewhat smaller than the angle between saidmembers in the tilted position shown in Fig.

the leg-rest (not shown in Fig. '7).

V and the clamping sleeve IE2.

4, is still large. When the movable members,

of the chair are brought into the reclined position shown in Fig. 5,they offer a comfortable "readily returned from the extreme reclinedposition into the tilted position and into the sitting position when theoccupant of the chair shifts thew'eight of his body forwardly. A slightpressure on the leg-rest 36 may assist in returning the movable membersof the chair from the tilted position shown in Fig. 4 into the sittingposition shown in Fig. 1.

In order to enable the occupant of the chair to lock the movable membersof the chair in any suitable position, the chair is equipped with alocking mechanism which, for clearness sake is shown only inFigs.-'7 and11-13.

As there is a double-link-system, the series of connected links 32, 34,43 and 54 and a linkchain 36, 80, 60, the locking mechanism is designedin such a way that it may act simultaneously on a link of said series ofconnected links and on a link of said link-chain.

As best shown in Fig. 7, the rear end portion of a first locking rod 98is pivoted to the crossrod --44 of the frame of the back-rest 34 at I00.

The front end portion of said locking rod 08 is slidably engaged with aclamping sleeve I02, the

upwardly extending arms of which are provided with bores engaged with atransverse rod I04 slidably engaged with bores E06 of the side framesof-the support 30 (see Figs. 7, l1 and 12). I

Furthermore, the front end portion of a second locking rod I ispivotally connected at i I0 with The rear end portion of said secondlocking rod E08 is slidably engaged with a clamping sleeve M2, theupwardly extending arms of which are provided with bores slidablyengaged with above-mentioned transverse rod 104. e

As best shown in Figs. 11 and 12, an abutting collar H4 is looselyarranged on the projecting end of the transverse rod I04 between thesupport 30 and stop nuts I I screwed on the threaded end of thetransverse rod I04. A first spacing tube H8 is loosely arranged on thetransverse rod I04 between the frame of the support 30 A second spacingtube I is loosely arranged on the transverse rod I04 between the twoclamping sleeves I02 and H2. A third spacing tube I22 is looselyarranged between the clamping sleeve I 02 and a set collar I24 rigidlyconnected with the trans- How- I verse rod I04. A handle I26 providedwith a nose I20 capable of engagement with a recess I30 arranged on theframe of the support 30 (see Figs. 7, 11 and 13) is rigidly connectedwith V the projecting end of the transverse rod I04.

' are in the position shown in Fig. 11, and shown in full lines in Fig.13, the nose I20 of the handle I26 is in engagement with the recess I30and the spring I32 causes a clampingeffectof the clamping sleeve I02 andH2 on the locking rods I02 and I08 through the medium of the spacingtubes I22, I20 and H0, so that the movable members of the chair are heldin a predetermined position.

When the occupant of the chair desires to bring the movable members ofthe chair in a different position, the handle I20is turned from theposition shown in Fig. 11 intothe position shown in Fig. 12, so that thenose I20 is disengaged from the recess I30 and reaches the position 128shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 13, wherein said nose rests on'theouter surface of the frame of the support 30. As best shown in Fig.12,said rotation of the" handle I26 results in a compression ofthe springI32 by means of the set collar I24 and in a release of the resilientarms of the clamping sleeves I02 and H2, as the spacing tubes I22'andI20 may follow the sidewise movement of the set collar I24. Said releaseof the arms of the clamping sleeves I02 and H2 results, in turn, in arelease of the locking rods and I00, so that the occupant of the chairmay readily move the movable members of the chair from one position intoanother one. The movable members of the chair remain in said releasedcondition as long as the nose of the handle I26 is in the position I28.If the movable members of the chair shall belocked in I said position,the handle I26 is returned into its starting position shown in Fig. 11whereby the nose I28 is brought into engagement with the recess I30,permitting the spring I32 to urge the collar I24 towards the clampingsleeves I02 and H2 causing a tightening thereof on the locking rods 98and I08, by means of the spacing tubes I22, I20 and H8. h

If desired, the occupant of the chairmay rotate the handle I25 only to acertain degree, so

that the nose of the handle reaches only an' the occupant of the chairto bring the movable members of the chair from one position intoanotherone. Said intermediate position I20" of the nose of the handleI26, however, has the advantage that after release of the handle I26,the latter is automatically returned by the action of the spring I32into the position shown in Fig. 11, wherein the locking rods 08 and I00are locked and the movable members of the chair are held in a certainposition. v

The reclining chair shown in Figs; 1-7 is also provided with means toconvert same-into a bedlike furniture.

As long as the cap-like member 50 pivoted to the lower connecting link48 is in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2-7 and 8, the cross-rod44 ofthe frame of the back-rest 34 is held in engagement with the left-handend of the slot 46 of the lower connecting link 48, so as toprovide fora pivotal connection betweenthe back-rest 34 andthe lower connectinglink 48. As best shown in Figs. 7-10, a handle I34 is swing'ably mountedon the cross-rod 44 at I36. A spring I38 stretched between the cross-rodMend the handle I34 tends to urge same into the position shown in Figs.7 and 8, wherein a lug I 40 of the latter abuts against a stop I42arranged on the cross-rod 44 and wherein the lower end 1-44 of saidhandle I34 is in loose engagement with the lower surface'of a lug I46arranged on the caplike member 50.

When it is desired to convert the reclining chair into a bed-likefurniture, said handle [34 is swung about its pivot I36 against theaction of the spring I38 whereby the cap-like member 50 is lifted intothe position shown in Fig. 9. Now, the cross-rod 44 is released and thebackrest 34 may be swung into a substantially horizontal position asshown in Fig. 6. Said substantially horizontal position of the back-rest34 is limited by an abutment of its lower extension 42 against the stop88. During said movement of the back-rest 34 into said substantiallyhorizontal position, the cap-like member 50 drops automatically by itsown weight into the position shown in Fig. 10 and the handle I34 isautomatically returned into its starting position by the spring I33.Furthermore, during said movement of the back-rest into saidsubstantially horizontal position, the leg-rest 36 may be propelledthrough the medium of the bellcrank lever 60'and the controlling link 66into the substantially horizontal position shown in Fig. 6. The seat 32is, likewise, in its substantially horizontal sitting position limitedby the abutment of the right-hand end of the slot 46 of the lowerconnecting link 48 against the crossrod 44 held in turn, in its positionby the abutment of the lower extension 42 of the back-rest 34 againstthe stop 88.

When it is desired to re-convert the article of furniture into a chair,the back-rest 34 is swung upwardly until the cross-rod 44 reaches theleft-hand end of the slot 46. During said movement of the back-rest 34,the cap-like member 50 is lifted by the cross-rod 44 and dropsautomatically into its locking position shown in Fig. 8 by the action ofits own weight.

If desired, the gap between the leg-rest 36 and the seat 32 in thepositions shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 may be covered by a member (notshown) attached to the seat and resting on the leg-rest.

According to the embodiment shown in Figs. 14-16, the reclining chairagain comprises a double-link-system including a series of connectedlinks and a link-chain. The series of connected links includes the seat232, the back-rest 234, the lower connecting link 243 and the frontconnecting link 254, said links being in pivotal connection at 246, 244,256 and 258 respectively. Th link-chain comprises the leg-rest 236,- thecontrolling link 280 and the bell-crank lever 260 swingable on thesupport 2310 at 262; the leg-rest 236 is pivoted to the seat 232 at 218,one end of the controlling link 280 is pivoted to the legrest 236 at282, the other end of said controlling link 280 is pivoted at 284 to thecontrolling arm 286 of the bell-crank lever 260andthe upper arm orguiding link 264 of said bell-crank lever 26!] is pivoted to thedownward extension 242 of the back-rest 234 at 266.

According to the embodiment of the chair shown in Figs. 14-16, however,there is a pin and slot connection 261, 269 between the lower connectinglink 248 and the support 236. The pin 261 carried by the lowerconnecting link 248 is slidably engaged with the slot 269 ofthesupport236.

When the movable members of 'thechair are in the sitting position shownin Fig. 14, the pin 261 arranged on the lower connecting. link 248 isDuring a movement of the movable members of the chair shown in Fig. 14from a tilted position corresponding to the position shown in Fig. 4into a reclined position shown in Fig. 15, the bell-crank lever 266 isheld in its position by a stop 288 against which it rests and the lowerconnecting link 2413 is guided by the slot 269 wherein the pin 261slides. Y a

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position bya locking mechanism comprising a first locking rod 298 connected to thedownward extension 242 of the back-rest and a second locking rod 299connected to the leg-rest 236. Said locking mechanism, being of the sameconstruction as the locking mechanism described above in connection withFigs. 7 and 11-13 is only partly shown in Figs. 14 and 15 for clearnesssake.

The operation of the chair shown in Figs. 14 and 15 with respect to thedisplacement of its movable members corresponds entirely to theoperation of the chair described above in connection with Figs. 1l3.There is only the difference that the lower connecting link 248 isguided by cooperating sliding means 261, 269 instead of by a guidinglink.

In order to convert the chair shown in Figs. 14 and 15 into a bed-likefurniture, the chair is provided with the following mechanism:

The lower connecting link 248 has a slot 246 at its rear end portion. Asbest shown in Fig. 16, the left-hand end 241 of said slot 246 is at aright angle to the main portion of the slot 246. As long as the chair isused as a chair and, consequently, the back-rest 234 should be in apivotal connection with the lower connecting link 248, a pin or rod 244carried by the lower extension 242 of the back-rest 234 is in rotatableengagement with said branched-oil portion 241 of the slot 246 so'as toprovide for a pivotal connection between the back-rest 234 and the lowerconnecting link 248.

When it is desired to convert the chair into a bed-like furniture, saidpivotal connection between the back-rest 234 and the lower connectinglink 248 must be disengaged. For this purpose, a pushing element 235slidably mounted on the downward extension 242 of the back-rest 234 bymeans of pins and slots 231, 239 is pushed downwardly by hand or footagainst the action of a spring 24! stretched between said pushingelement 235 and said downward extension 242 of the back-rest 234. Duringsuch a downward pushing of the pushing element 235 a lug 243 or the likeprojecting from the main body of the pushing element is brought intoengagement with th lower connecting link 248, so that the latter isswung somewhat about the point 261 with the result that the pin or rod244 becomes disengaged from the branched-off end 241 of the slot 246 andenters the slot proper wherein it may be shifted longitudinally forswinging the back-rest into a substantially horizontal position.

After release of the pushing element 235, the

latter is automatically returned into its Original position by means ofthe spring 24!.

If it is desired to re-convert the article of furniture into a chair,the back-rest is merely swung between the back-rest 234 and the lowerconnecting link 248 is reinstated.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention,.but it isunderstood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration andthat various omissions or changes in shape, proportion and arrangementof parts, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for thoseherein shown and described may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

For exampleythe upper arm of the bell-crank lever 60 or 260 acting as aguiding link could also be pivoted to the seat 32 or 232 instead of tothe back-rest 234 or 34.

Furthermore, instead of a pin-and-slot connection 261.269 between thelower connecting :link 248 and the-support 230 any other suitablecooperating sliding cam means could be used.

What I claim is: 1. A reclining article of furniture comprising: asupport, connected links including a seat, a

back-rest, a lower connecting link and a front connecting link, saidlower connecting link and said front connecting link being arrangedbelow the plane of said seat and being pivotally connected with eachother at one of their ends, the ,other end of said lower connecting linkbeing in pivotal connection with said back-rest, the other end of saidfront connecting link being pivotally connected with the front endportion of said seat, the rear end portion of said seat being pivoted tosaid back-rest at a point spaced from the connection of the latter withthe lower connecting link, a guiding link swingable on said support andpivoted to one of said connected links other than said connecting links,cooperating guiding means slidably engaged with each other and arrangedon said support and on said lower connecting link, a leg-rest swingablymounted on the front end portion of said seat, a controlling linkpivoted at one of its ends to said leg-rest, and a controlling arm inrigid connection with said guiding link, said controlling arm being inpivotal connection with the other end of said controllin link.

a support, connected links including a seat, a

back-rest, a lower connecting link and a front connecting link-saidlower connectin link and said front connecting link being arranged belowthe plane of said seat and being pivotally connected with each other atone of their ends, the other end of said lower connecting link being inpivotal connection with said back-rest, the other end of said frontconnecting link being pivotally connected with the front end portion ofsaid seat, the rear end portion of said seat being pivoted to saidback-rest at a point spaced from the connection of the latter with thelower connecting link, a guiding link swingable on said support andpivoted to said back-rest, cooperating guiding means slidably engagedwith each other and arranged on said support and on saidlowerfconnecting link, aleg-rest swingably mounted on the front endportion of said seat, a controlling link pivoted at one of its ends tosaid leg-rest,and a controlling arm in rigid connection with, saidguiding link, said controlling arm being in, pivotal connection with theother end of saidcontrolling link.

3. A reclining article of furniture coinprisingza support, connectedlinks including a seat,,,a backrest, a lower connecting link .and afront connecting link, said lower connecting link and said frontconnectin link-bein arranged below the plane of said seat and being'pivotally connected with each other at one of their ends,-the other endof said lower connecting link being in pivotal connection withsaidbackerest, the other end of said front connecting link beingpivctally connected with the front end portion of said seat, the rearend portion of said; seat being pivoted to said back-rest at a pointspaced from the connection of the latter with the lower connecting link,a guiding link swingable/on said support and pivoted to one of saidconnectedlinks other-than said connecting links, cooperating guidinglmeans slidably engaged with each other and arranged on said support andon said lower connecting link, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the frontend portion of said seat, a controllingflink pivoted at oneof itsends tosaid leg-rest, a controlling arm in rigidconnection with said guidinglink, said controlling arm being in pivotalconnection withthe other endof said controlling link, a first stop arranged on saidsupport for looseabutting engagement with the guiding means-arrangedon the lowerconnectinglinkso as to limit an extreme position thereof .wherein themovable membersof the article arein a sitting position, and a secondstoparranged on. said support, said second stop acting on said guiding linkso as to limit an extreme'position thereof after a movement of themovable members of the article from the sitting position into anintermediate reclined position whereby the pivotal connection betweenthe link of the connected. links end of said slot acting as said firststop.

5. In a reclining article of furniture asclaimed in claim 3, the pivotalconnection between the back-rest and the lower connecting link beingdisengageable, and holdin means arranged on the article for acting onsaid back-rest soasto hold same in a substantially horizontal positionafter disengagement .of said pivotal conne tion between the back-restand the lower connecting link.

6. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 3, a pinandslot-connection between the back-rest and the lower" connejctinglink,locking means associated with said pine-(and slot-connection for holdingthe elements thereof in a predetermined relative position rendering saidconnection a pivotal connection, actuating means associated with saidlocking means for'releasing the elements of said pin-v and'slot-con '1 1nection so as to permit avrelative sliding movement between the pin andthe slot, and holding means arranged on the article for acting on saidback-rest so as to hold same in a substantially horizontal positionafter a, release of the elements of said pinand slot-connection.

'7. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 3, thepivotal connection between the back-rest and the lower connecting linkbeing disengageable, and said second stop being arranged for abuttingengagement with said backrest so as to hold same in a substantiallyhorizontal position after disengagement of said pivotal connectionbetween the back-rest and the lower connecting link.

8. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 3, saidguiding link being pivoted to said back-rest.

9. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, connectedlinks including a seat, a back-rest, a lower connecting link and a frontconnecting link, said lower connecting link and said front connectinglink being arranged below the plane of said seat and being pivotallyconnected with each other at one of their ends, the other end of saidlower connecting link being in pivotal connection with said back-rest,the other end of said front connecting link being pivotally connectedwith the front end portion of said seat, the rear end portion of saidseat being pivoted to said back-rest at a point spaced from theconnection of the latter with the lower connecting link, a guiding linkswingable on said support and pivoted to said back-rest, cooperatingguiding means slidably engaged with each other and arranged on saidsupport and on said lower connecting link, a leg-rest swingably mountedon the front end portion of said seat, a controlling link pivoted at oneof its ends to said leg-rest, a controlling arm in rigid connection withsaid guiding link, said controlling arm being in pivotal connection withthe other end of said controlling link, a first stop arranged on saidsupport for loose abutting engagement with the guiding means arranged onthe lower connecting link so as to limit an extreme position thereofwherein the movable members of the article are in a sitting position,and a second stop arranged on said support for abutting engagement withsaid controlling arm rigidly connected with said guiding link so as tolimit an extreme position of said guiding link after a movement of themovable members of the article from the sitting position into anintermediate reclined position whereby the pivotal connection betweenthe back-rest and said guiding link is held stationary during acontinuation of the movement of the back-rest into an extreme reclinedposition while the guiding means arranged on the lower connecting linkis disengaged from said first stop, the pivotal connection between theback-rest and the lower connecting link being disengageable, and saidsecond 7 stop being arranged for abutting engagement with said back-restso as to hold same in a substantially horizontal position afterdisengagement of said pivotal connection between the back-rest and thelower connecting link.

10. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 9, a secondpinand slot-connection between said support and said lower connectinglink, an end of said slot of. said second pinand slot-connection actingas said first stop.

11. An article of repose for supporting the body of a person, comprisingin combination: a support, a linkage comprising a seat structure, a

back-rest structure and a chain of connecting links including a firstconnecting link at one end of the chain and a second connecting link atthe other end of the chain, said first connecting link being pivoted tosaid back-rest structure, said second connecting link being pivoted tothe front portion of said seat, the rear end portion of said seatstructure being pivoted to said back-rest structure at a point spacedfrom thepivotal connection between the latter and the first connectinglink, a double-armed guiding member swingably mounted on said support,one arm of said double-armed guiding member being pivoted to at leastone structure of said seatand backrest structures, additional guidingmeans connected to said support and operatively engaged with at leastone'connecting link of said chain of connecting links, a leg-restswingably mounted on the front portion of said seat structure, .acontrolling link pivoted at one of its ends to said leg-rest, the otherend of said controlling link being pivoted to the other arm of saiddoublearmed guiding member, and a stop arranged on said support forabutting engagement with said double-armed guiding member upon amovement of the movable members of the article from the sitting positioninto an intermediate reclined position whereby said pivotal connectionbetween one arm of the double-armed guiding member and at least one ofsaid structures is held in a fixed position so as to act as a fulcrumduring a continuation of the movement of the movable members of thearticle into'an extreme reclined position. I

12. An article of repose for. supporting the body of a person,comprising in combination: a support, a linkage comprising a seatstructure, a back-rest structure and a chain of connecting linksincluding a first connecting link at one end of the chain and a secondconnecting'link at the other end of the chain, said first connectinglink being pivoted to said back-rest structure, said second connectinglink being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the rear endportion of said seat structure being pivoted to said back-rest structureat a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the latter and thefirst connecting link, a double-armed guiding member swingably mountedon said support, one arm of said double-armed guiding member beingpivoted to at least one structure of said seatand back-rest structures,additional guiding means connected to said support and operativelyengaged with at least one connecting link of said chain of connectinglinks, said additional guiding means being capable of guiding saidconnecting link along a predetermined path and of causing a swingingmovement of said connecting link about a predetermined axis, a leg-restswingably mounted on the front portion of said seat structure, acontrolling link pivoted at one of its ends to said leg-rest, the otherend of said controlling link being pivoted to the other arm of saiddouble-armed guiding member, limiting means associated with said guidingmeans for rendering same partially ineffective and limiting itseffectiveness to act as a fulcrum for a swinging movement of theconnecting link during a movement of the movable members of the articlefrom the sitting position into an intermediate reclined position, and astop arranged on said support for abutting engagement with saiddouble-armed guiding member upon said movement of the movable members ofthe article from the sitting position into an intermediate reclinedposition whereby said pi otal connection between one arm of thedouble-armed guiding member and at least one of said structures is heldin a fixed position so as to act as a fulcrum during a continuation ofthe movement of the movable members of the article into an extremereclined position. I Y

13. An article of repose for supporting the body of a person, comprisingin combination: a support, a linkage comprising a seat structure, aback-rest structure and a chain of connecting links including a firstconnecting link at one end of the chain and a secondconnecting link atthe other end of the chain, said first connecting link being pivoted tosaid back-rest structure, said second connecting link being pivoted tothe front portion of said seat, the rear end portion of said seatstructure being pivoted to said back-rest structure at a point spacedfrom the pivotal connection between the latter and the first connectinglink, a double-armed guiding member swingably mounted on said support,one arm of said double-armed guiding member being pivoted to at leastone structure of said seatand back-rest structures, an additionalguiding link swingably mounted on said support and pivotally connectedwith at least one connecting link of said chain of connecting links, aleg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat structure,a controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to said leg-rest, theother end of said controlling link being pivoted to the other arm ofsaid double-armed guiding member, a first stop arranged on said supportfor abutting engagement with said additional guiding link so as toprevent same from rotation in one direction and to hold the pivotalconnection between said guiding link and said connecting link in a fixedposition so as to act as a fulcrum for said connecting link during amovement of the movable members of the article from the sitting positioninto an intermediate reclined position, and a second stop arranged onsaid support for abutting engagement with said doublearmed guidingmember upon said movement of the movable members of the article from thesitting position into an intermediate reclined position whereby saidpivotal connection between one arm of the double-armed guiding memberand at least one of said structures is held in a fixed position so as toact as a fulcrum during a continuation of the movement of the movablemembers of the article into an extreme reclined position.

14. An article of repose for supporting the body of a person, comprisingin combination: a support, a linkage comprising a seat structure, aback-rest structure and a chain of connecting links including a firstconnecting link at one end of the chain and a second connecting link atthe other end of the chain, said first connecting link being pivoted tosaid back-rest structure, said second connecting link being pivoted tothe front portion of said seat, the rear end portion of said seatstructure being pivoted to said back-rest structure at a point spacedfrom the pivotal connection between the latter and the first connectinglink, a double-armed guiding member swingably mounted on said support,one arm of said double-armed guiding member being pivoted to at leastone structure of said seatand back-rest structure, additional guidingmeans connected to said support and ope'ratively engaged with at leastone connecting link of said chain of connecting links, a leg-restswingably mounted on the front portion of said seat structure, acontrolling link pivoted at one of its ends to said leg-rest, the otherend of said controlling link being pivoted to the other arm of saiddouble-armed guiding member, and a stop arranged on said support forabutting engagement with said double-armed guiding member upon amovement of the movable members of the article from the' sittingposition into an intermediate reclined position whereby said pivotalconnection between one arm of the double-armed guiding member and theback-rest structure is held in a fixed position so as to act as afulcrum during a continuation of the movement of the movable members orthe article into an extreme reclined position. c

15. An article of respose for supporting the body of a person,comprising in combination: a support, a linkage comprising a seatstructure, a back-rest structure and a chain of connecting linksincluding a first connecting link at one end of the chain and a secondconnecting link at the other end of the chain, said first connectinglink being pivoted to said back-rest structure, said second connectinglink being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the rear endportion of said seat structure being pivoted to said back-rest structureat a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the latter and thefirst connecting link, a double-armed guiding member swingablymounted onsaid support, one arm of said double-armed guiding member being pivotedto at least one structure of said seatand back-rest structure, anadditional guiding link swingably mounted on said support and pivotallyconnected with at least one connecting link of said chain of connectinglinks, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seatstructure, a controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to saidleg-rest, the other end of said controlling link being pivoted to theother arm of said double-armed guiding member, a first stop arranged onsaid support for abutting engagement with said additional guiding linkso as to prevent same from rotation in one direction and to hold thepivotal connection between said guiding link and said connecting link ina fixed position so as to act as a fulcrum for said connecting linkduring a movement of the movable members of the article from the sittingposition into an intermediate reclined position, and a second stoparranged on said support for. abutting engagement with said double-armedguiding member upon said movement of the movable members of the articlefrom the sitting position into an intermediate reclined position wherebysaid pivotal connection between one arm of the double-armed guidingmember and said back-rest structure is held in a fixed position so as toact as a fulcrum during a continuation of the movement of the movablemembers of the article into an extreme reclined position.

16. In an article of repose as claimed in claim 13, the pivotalconnection between the back-rest structure and the first connecting linkbeing disengageable whereby said back-rest structure together with theleg-rest connected with the former may b moved into a substantiallyhorizontal position while said seat structure remains in its sittingposition, and said second stop being arranged for abutting engagementwith said back-rest structure when the latter is in its substantiallyhorizontal position.

17. In an article of repose as claimed in claim 15 13, the pivotalconnection between the back-rest structure and the first connecting linkforming a part of a pinand slot-connection between said members, lockingmeans associated with said pinand slot-connection for normally holdingthe elements thereof in a predetermined relative position making same apivotal connection, and actuating means associated with said lockingmeans for releasing the element of said pinand slot-connection so as topermit a relative sliding movement between the pin and the slot of saidconnection whereby said back-rest structure together With the leg-restconnected with the former may be moved into a substantially horizontalposition while said seat structure remains in its sitting position, andsaid second stop being arranged for abutting engagement 16 with saidback-rest structure when the latter is in its substantially horizontalposition.

JOHANNES LUCKHARDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 0 Number Name Date 2,353,838 Lorenz July 18, 19442,433,520 Lorenz Dec. 30, 1947 2,478,770 Lorenz Aug. 9, 1949 FOREIGNPATENTS 15 Number Country I Date 53.406 Netherlands Nov. 16, 1942

